Report: Senators, Turris slowly working toward extension

Ottawa Senators forward Kyle Turris and general manager Pierre Dorion are making progress - although it's slow - in talks regarding a contract extension, reports Bruce Garrioch of The Ottawa Sun.

The 28-year-old is owed a team-friendly $3.5 million in 2017-18, and will become an unrestricted free agent July 1 if a deal doesn't get reached before then. Discussions have been described as healthy, according to Garrioch, and neither side is forcing the issue.

Agent Kurt Overhardt is reportedly seeking a seven- or eight-year deal worth around $6 million per season for his client.

Turris recorded a career-high 27 goals in 2016-17 and has emerged as the Senators' most complete center. He's averaged over 19 minutes per night over the last three seasons, and has consistently been above 50 percent in the faceoff circle.

The Senators awarded goaltender Craig Anderson a two-year, $9.5-million extension Friday, and Dorion will have to be shrewd to keep Ottawa's core together. Beyond Turris, winger Mark Stone becomes a restricted free agent in 2018, the same time all-world defenseman Erik Karlsson is eligible for a new deal.

According to Cap Friendly, the Senators have a projected $17 million in cap space for the 2018-19 season.